B&I Lions 2017

MiketheSnow

The biggest challenge for Gatland is does he pick tried & tested combos or does he put the best 15 in-form athletes on the park.

Crucial

@MiketheSnow said in B&I Lions 2017:

@gollum

The biggest challenge for Gatland is does he pick tried & tested combos or does he put the best 15 in-form athletes on the park.

Plus planning how to deal with the two games a week thing. As soon as he splits the squad the combos mix up even more so possibly the second best player in a position may not get to train much with the test squad.

Catogrande

@MiketheSnow said in B&I Lions 2017:

If the backs were being picked this morning

Hogg (Scotland)
North (Wales)
Joseph (England)
Farrell (England)
L Williams (Wales)
Ford (England)
Webb (Wales)

Subs
Youngs (England), Sexton (Ireland), Halfpenny (Wales)

If you have both Ford and Farrell playing, then you don't need Sexton there. Halfpenny to cover wing and FB plus place kicking. Leaves room for some centre cover - though who that is I'm not entirely sure. Henshaw perhaps with strict instructions to keep out of rolling mauls, Davies, Jones (the Scottish one)?

Crucial

Yes please sir, can we have some of that Scottish midfield defence please?

MiketheSnow

@Catogrande

Fair call.

Daly?

Catogrande

@MiketheSnow Fair call. Back at you!

MN5

@MiketheSnow said in B&I Lions 2017:

If the backs were being picked this morning

Hogg (Scotland)
North (Wales)
Joseph (England)
Farrell (England)
L Williams (Wales)
Ford (England)
Webb (Wales)

Subs
Youngs (England), Sexton (Ireland), Halfpenny (Wales)

No love for superstar Tim Visser?

Catogrande

@MN5 I don't think he's done enough, consistently to allay the accusations of being a flat track bully. He's been round for some time now and has shown flashes of what he could do but not enough against quality opposition.

Wing is also a highly competitive area. In no particular order:-

Zebo
Trimble
Bowe (although injured now)
Maitland
North
Williams/Halfpenny (both could be considered for FB)
Watson
Daly
Nowell
May

Somewhere below that is where Visser is at present. Below that it goes like this:

My Grandma
Cuthbert

MN5

@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:

@MN5 I don't think he's done enough, consistently to allay the accusations of being a flat track bully. He's been round for some time now and has shown flashes of what he could do but not enough against quality opposition.

Wing is also a highly competitive area. In no particular order:-

Zebo
Trimble
Bowe (although injured now)
Maitland
North
Williams/Halfpenny (both could be considered for FB)
Watson
Daly
Nowell
May

Somewhere below that is where Visser is at present. Below that it goes like this:

My Grandma
Cuthbert

Well yeah I'm holding out hope as he is big and fast just like Gatland likes and better than Cuthbert ( and scored twice vs the ABs on Murrayfield debut )

You forgot Seymour who is a real chance.

#clutchingatscottishstraws

MiketheSnow

@MN5 said in B&I Lions 2017:

@MiketheSnow said in B&I Lions 2017:

If the backs were being picked this morning

Hogg (Scotland)
North (Wales)
Joseph (England)
Farrell (England)
L Williams (Wales)
Ford (England)
Webb (Wales)

Subs
Youngs (England), Sexton (Ireland), Halfpenny (Wales)

No love for superstar Tim Visser?

Ha ha

MiketheSnow

@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:

@MN5 I don't think he's done enough, consistently to allay the accusations of being a flat track bully. He's been round for some time now and has shown flashes of what he could do but not enough against quality opposition.

Wing is also a highly competitive area. In no particular order:-

Zebo
Trimble
Bowe (although injured now)
Maitland
North
Williams/Halfpenny (both could be considered for FB)
Watson
Daly
Nowell
May

Somewhere below that is where Visser is at present. Below that it goes like this:

My Grandma
Cuthbert

Comedy Gold

Catogrande

@MiketheSnow And I forgot to mention that my Grandma is dead.

And never played the game anyway.

Derm McCrum

@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:

@MiketheSnow And I forgot to mention that my Grandma is dead.

And never played the game anyway.

Sounds like Cuthbert has a chance then...

Catogrande

@Pot-Hale Two chances in fact.

Slim.

Fat.

Make that three chances - Gatland's wild card pick

Derm McCrum

Wales and England coming back into flavour for the Gatland squad mix I suspect.

Frye

@Catogrande said in B&I Lions 2017:

@MN5 I don't think he's done enough, consistently to allay the accusations of being a flat track bully. He's been round for some time now and has shown flashes of what he could do but not enough against quality opposition.

Wing is also a highly competitive area. In no particular order:-

Zebo
Trimble
Bowe (although injured now)
Maitland
North
Williams/Halfpenny (both could be considered for FB)
Watson
Daly
Nowell
May

Somewhere below that is where Visser is at present. Below that it goes like this:

My Grandma
Cuthbert

A lot of plodders there.

Catogrande

@Frye You'll not be catching any Pomfish with that rancid bait.

SammyC

If anyones interested, additional tickets for the 3 tests go on sale at 12pm. I got emailed a code to use cos I was in the ballot.

Bovidae

Managed to get tickets for both Eden Park tests so happy about that. Add in the Chiefs and Maori games - should be fun.

Crucial

Neil Jenkins and Graham Rowntree have been added to Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions coaching team for this summer's tour of New Zealand.

Both were on the Lions coaching team in 2009 in South Africa and for the victorious tour of Australia four years ago, the latter under Gatland, and have been added to the trio of Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley who were named in December.

Former Wales five-eighth Jenkins toured as a Lions player in 1997, when he started all three tests at fullback, and 2001.

Ex-England loose-head prop Rowntree toured as a player in 1997 and 2005, winning two test caps off the bench against New Zealand in 2005.

"We all know what Neil and Graham bring - a huge amount of knowledge, experience and expertise at club [level], international [level] and eight Lions tours between them," Gatland said.

"They understand what it will take to win in New Zealand and to have them on board again is positive.

"I know Graham and Steve will complement each other, and Neil will give us valuable backs and skills support. Given the schedule, with two games a week, having six coaches will allow us to devote enough time to ensuring we are successful."

Harlequins forwards coach Graham Rowntree looks on prior to the Aviva Premiership match against Bristol. Photo/Getty Images
Harlequins forwards coach Graham Rowntree looks on prior to the Aviva Premiership match against Bristol. Photo/Getty Images
Jenkins, Wales skills coach since 2004 with a particular remit for goal-kicking, said: "I am excited to be joining up with a very experienced, successful coaching team for what is going to be a huge challenge against the world champions."

Rowntree, England assistant coach under Stuart Lancaster and now Harlequins forwards coach, said: "This year will be the ultimate challenge, considering the form that New Zealand have been in across the last decade.

"But looking at the talent and potential in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, it is a hugely exciting opportunity for us to do something incredible."

The Silver Fern

B&I Lions 2017